January Newsletter
Rolland-Warner 6/7 Campus
Stevens Scribbles
I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy and Safe New Year!
Here is a list of few important items in the newsletter below that you will want to scroll down to and read more about:
- January 4 Return of Face-to-Face Instruction
- Exam Schedule
- Scheduling for 2020-2021
- NWEA map & M-Step Tests
- Second Semester Schedules
I also want to welcome our 5th grade parents to their first Rolland-Warner Newsletter! You are receiving the January RW Newsletter as it has a couple sections that deal with scheduling for 2021-20222. I look forward to going around to the elementary buildings and introducing myself to your children in January and you during our virtual Opportunity Night (or FAQ sessions following). You are welcome to peruse the entirety of the newsletter to get a feel for the building, however, the following sections deal with information for 5th graders as well:
- Scheduling for 2020-2021
- NWEA map & M-Step Tests
- Opportunity Night
Looking forward to having a great start to a new year with all the smiling faces after break!
Wyatt
Return to Face-to-Face January 4
Our custodial staff has had ample opportunity to deep clean the building and even paint some hallways (the building is looking better day by day)!
Exam Schedule
Wednesday, Jan. 13th – Full Day
Thursday, Jan. 14th – Early Release (9:24am to 1:34pm)
Friday, Jan. 15th – Early Release (9:24am to 1:34pm)
On Wednesday, Jan. 13th (full day), Thursday, Jan. 14th (Early Release), and Friday, Jan 15th (early release), Rolland-Warner will be on the exam schedule for all secondary schools. While not every class is having exams, many are and a special schedule is required to make this happen. Since we share teachers with Zemmer and LHS, we need to be aligned with their schedule. Additionally, we have 0-Hour and PLTW to account for. In short, there are only so many solutions and none of them are perfect.
Therefore, on these three days all 0 Hour classes are cancelled. All Rolland-Warner students will start at the standard 9:24 start time. Students who normally ride the early busses in for 0-Hour/PLTW, will instead ride the regular Rolland-Warner Busses or can be dropped off from 9 to 9:15 on those three days. A phone blast will be sent home as a reminder, and the transportation department will send letters to all 0-hour students letting them know when and where they will be picked up by the busses.
Any students who have a 0-Hour at Rolland-Warner will take their 0-Hour exams on the Monday and Tuesday of that week in their normal 0-Hour class.
Please note that on the early release days, lunches will not be served to students. They will want to make sure to eat breakfast on that day. It sounds like a long time, but because of the late start our students usually don’t eat breakfast until 9am. Students will ride their regular buses home on these days so be aware they will be arriving earlier than a normal day. Students should be picked up at 1:34 in the car rider loop as is normal, just at an earlier time.
Let’s hope for no snow days during exam week! Below is a clean one sheet copy you can print!
Scheduling for 2021-2022
Current 5th Graders Transitioning to 6th Grade @ RW
RW Counselors and myself will be coming to the elementary schools to introduce ourselves and talk to the 5th graders on the following schedule. We will concentrate on class choices, but will answer some other questions to put minds at ease! Your child will be completing Winter NWEA MAP testing soon at their school and these results, along with M-Step, will be used to determine placement in interventions and advanced courses (see NWEA MAP & M-Step Testing section below). 5th grade students are going to complete their scheduling form online this year. The form will be sent out to all 5th grade parents in a school messenger and needs to be completed by February 1st.
5th Grade Presentations
Lynch Elementary - January 8th
Murphy Elementary - January 11th
Schickler Elementary - January 7th
Turrill Elementary - TBD
We also understand the importance of keeping parents informed of the many choices students have in the transition to RW and have created a video specific to 5th grade student's class choices in transitioning to RW as part of the district wide Opportunity Night which will be virtual this year. Jared will be sending out a link to this district wide resource in mid-January so please visit the RW portion! After this we have a Q & A session scheduled, but know our counselors are here for you as well!
Current 6th Graders Moving to 7th Grade @ RW
RW Counselors will be advising 6th graders of their choices moving to 7th grade during their social studies class. 6th graders are also scheduling online this year and a link will be sent out via school messenger. Please complete the form by February 1st.
Counselors are available to answer any questions and 6th graders parents are welcome to view the Scheduling presentation sent out for the district's Opportunity Night by Jared. They are welcome to attend the Q & A session as well!
RW Counselor's Corner
Time for scheduling for 2021-2022! Our counselors are Mrs. Price, who works with students with last names A-K, and Mrs. Crespo who will be working with students with the last name L-Z. They can be reached at:
Mrs. Price 810-538-2339 or cprice@lapeerschools.org
Mrs. Crespo 810-538-2338 or jcrespo@lapeerschools.org
Current 7th Graders Transitioning to 8th Grade @ Zemmer
Importance of NWEA MAP & M-Step Tests in Scheduling for 2021-2022
Although standardized assessments are not the perfect tool to analyze student progress and performance, they do provide a comprehensive view into how a student is performing compaired to their peers across Michigan and the Nation, as well as monitoring their growth from year to year. Here at Rolland-Warner we place tremendous emphasis on our two main standardized tests that are given during the year (M-Step and NWEA MAP). There are several reasons for this:
- The tests provide valuable information about the students’ individual academic ability; as well as provide a picture for Rolland-Warner to focus instruction.
- These tests are two important factors in the scheduling of classes here at Rolland-Warner; including both intervention classes to assist students to become proficient and advanced classes for those that ability show they need to be challenged as part of our MTSS process.
- Tests such as these will play an integral part in students’ future direction and career path. Not only do we use these tests for placements, universities use similar tests (ACT & PSAT) for admittance and financial scholarships.
- The State of Michigan places stresses the results of these tests. They can result in “Reward” or “Focus” school status, as well as influence the school’s “Report Card” given by the State.
- These tests impact teacher evaluations.
For the above reasons, we strongly encourage parents to have conversations with their child about the importance of these tests! In November test results for NWEA MAP were sent home, both reports not only show current performance levels, but can be compared to prior years to paint a picture about student progress. It is important that students understand the results as well these tests importance in the larger picture of their education. Know that your child’s ELA and Math teachers also have copies of these reports and have and will continue to review them with your student here at RW as well to set goals for this year!
Opportunity Night
Jared will be sending out information in mid January!
Second Semester Schedule
Students will receive their schedules for 2nd semester on Wednesday, January 13th during the shortened 5th hour of the exam week. Please help students remember these schedules on January 19th which is the first day of the 2nd semester. A good tip we give students is to snap a picture of their schedule on their cell phones. This way, the picture is always with them and even if they forget their schedules they can view a copy of it on their phone.
As is the case often in grades 6-12, students may be switching teachers at the semester break, even for core classes (Science, Math, ELA, and Social Studies). All classes are at the same point once we reach the end of the semester so students don’t have to worry about being in a different spot than their last class was in. If you have any concerns about your child’s schedule, please contact the counselors for assistance. Although the schedule is very tight with little wiggle room, we really try to do our best to ensure students are placed appropriately.
COVID-19 Information
Student Daily Self-Screening
Should the student exhibit any of the COVID-19 symptoms while at the school they will be isolated and parents must come pick up the student and follow the procedures laid out in the LCS COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Student Procedures.
A free app is available for any Michigan Resident to self-screen at https://misymptomapp.state.mi.us/
OR
Utilize the LCS COVID-19 Parent Screening Tool below:
District Wide Procedures for Sick Students
Students are required to be picked up immediately and the office staff must fill out a form that is sent to the Superintendent's Office. You will receive a letter from the Superintendent's Office in collaboration with the Health Department detailing the next steps.
We understand the challenges that this may pose for parents, however, this is necessary to keep our students and staff safe and to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19. Please ensure that your emergency contacts are up-to-date and carefully screen your students prior to sending to school to help us reduce the spread and lessen the chance that you will need to be called possibly leaving work to drive to pick up your child!
Our Mental and Emotional Health
You can find many resources on the Lapeer Community Mental Health page that can assist you or a loved one.
RW Happenings
Student Handbook Notes
Each month a couple areas of the student handbook will be highlighted. Don’t forget the full student handbook can be found under the “Parents & Students” tab on our website at http://rw.lapeerschools.org/
BULLYING – A pattern of intentional inappropriate conduct that negatively impacts other students’ educational, physical, or emotional well-being. It would include, but not be limited to, such behaviors as cyber bullying, hazing, stalking, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name-calling, taunting, making threats. Suspension up to ten days or expulsion.
Bullying is definitely a hot button issue right now, not just for students and staff, but in the media. It is also a very complicated problem with many layers to it. One of the hardest parts about “bullying” is actually determining what constitutes bullying and helping students to understand what it looks like. Is this really bullying or are you having a disagreement/argument with a friend? The most important thing that students should know is that if they feel they are being bullied, they MUST contact an adult in the building. Students can fill out slips to see an administrator or counselor in the office at which point they will be brought in to discuss the problem. The administrative staff spends a great amount of time investigating complaints and working through solutions with students. If your child has mentioned to you they feel like they are being bullied, please encourage them to see an administrator in the office. There are several methods and strategies we have to deal with these issues but we can’t address them if we don’t know they exist.
Curriculum Update
Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies
This fall secondary teachers were trained in the use of Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies. These instructional strategies are designed to promote cooperation and communication in the classroom, boost students' confidence and retain their interest in classroom interaction. It is built on a single tenet: When students are engaged and motivated, "learning sticks." It's impossible to hide in a Kagan classroom because each student "participates frequently and approximately equally." While traditional teaching can lead to an ever-widening gap between high and low achievers, this method has proven to help close the gap.
Washington DC Trip
The Washington DC Committee realizes the unknowns at this time, however, are committed to providing the best experience for our students. The district has added a Washington DC Trip page on the website that contains all the documents and forms. Please see this page for information.
Finally a quick congratulations as multiple students fundraised almost the entirety of the cost of their trip with wreaths and cheesecakes! If fundraising isn't for you, we understand, but want to make this trip possible for as many students as possible. BrightSpark offers a payment plan as laid out in the information on the website. Check the website and stay tuned for upcoming fundraisers/information.
PAC Meetings
Here is a list of the RW PAC meetings for the 20/21 school year that will occur close to the third Friday of the month at 9:30 am-10:30 am via Zoom, so you can mark your calendar: Jan. 22, Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, and May 21.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89933640495
Positivity Project
We are going to take a short pause on Positivity Project to allow students time during iConnect to catch up any missing work and prepare for exams.
With that said, I'm excited about our new Positivity Project Tree and boards that will be going up in the Media Hallway!
Mark Your Calendars!
December 19-Jan 3 - Winter Recess
January 4 - Return of Face-to-Face
January 13 - Full Day Exams
January 14 & 15 - Half Days Exams
January 18 - No School
January 22 - PAC
Athletic Update
For information regarding 6th/7th grade athletics, contact Rich Cross, Associate Principal & Athletic Director, rcross@lapeerschools.org / 810.538.2334
All information regarding individual sports will be updated on the website www.lapeerlightning.com
Winter Sports Season:
Update:
In accordance to MDHHS orders and MHSAA guidelines, all High School and Middle School Winter Sports practices have been postponed until December 9th. Winter Sports competitions have been postponed until January.
As long as we are allowed to start practicing again in person on December 9th, Middle School Volleyball and Wrestling practices will resume at that point. If we are allowed to begin competitions in January, Winter 1 Sport competitions will begin at that point as well.
Follow us on social media and continue to check at www.lapeerlightning.com for the most up to date information regarding Lapeer Community Schools Athletics.
See below for Middle School Sport Specific Information as of the publishing of this newsletter:
7th Grade Volleyball:
Currently, we are tentatively planning on the following for 7th Grade Volleyball:
- Practice resumes on Wednesday, December 9th at Rolland Warner from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Competition resumes on Monday, January 11th (even if we are forced to postpone practicing until January 4th).
- Competitions will be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (other than Monday, January 18th) until Friday, January 29th.
- Until we resume practicing in person, our coaches have created a Google Classroom to continue to engage our athletes in learning and practicing volleyball skills. If you are a member of the volleyball team and are not enrolled in this Google Classroom, please contact Coach Kirk jk1176@yahoo.com and Coach Dixon adixon@lapeerschools.org
Middle School Wrestling:
Currently, we are tentatively planning on the following for Middle School Wrestling:
- Practice resumes on Wednesday, December 9th at CFI from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Competition resumes on Tuesday, January 12th (even if we are forced to postpone practicing until January 4th).
- Competitions will be Tuesday January 12th, 19th, and 26th as well as Thursday January 28th.
- Home competitions will be at Rolland-Warner starting at 4:45 pm. Away competitions will start at 4:15
- Wrestling COVID 19-related accommodations:
o There can be no more than four (4) teams at a location, therefore large invitational-style tournaments will not be permitted.
o MHSAA Wrestling Return to Play Guidelines https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/WR/mswrcovid.pdf
- Until we resume practicing in person, our coaches have created a Google Classroom to continue to engage our athletes in learning and practicing wrestling skills. If you are a member of the wrestling team and are not enrolled in this Google Classroom, please contact Coach Dixon drew88dixon@gmail.com
7th Grade Boys Basketball:
Currently, we are tentatively planning on the following for 7th Grade Boys Basketball:
- Tryouts will be Monday, February 1st – Wednesday, February 3rd.
- Competitions will begin Monday, March 1st
- Competitions will be every Monday and Wednesday (as well as Friday, March 19th) until Wednesday, March 24th.
- We will have two 7th grade Boys Basketball teams.
- Home competitions will be played at Zemmer, with B team playing at 4:15 pm and A team following (approximately 5:30)
- MHSAA Boys Basketball Return to Play and Ball Cleaning Guidelines:
o https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/AD%20Forms/PACKET%20BB.pdf
o https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/FB/ballcleaning.pdf
Middle School Competitive Cheer:
Currently, we are tentatively planning on the following for Middle School Sideline Cheer:
- Tryouts will be Monday, February 1st – Wednesday, February 3rd.
- Competitions will begin either the last week of February or first week of March.
- We will have 1 competition per week for until Spring Break.
- MHSAA Competitive Cheer Return to Play Guidelines:
o https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/AD%20Forms/mscheercovid.pdf
Winter Sports Parent Meeting for Winter 2 Season – Boys Basketball and Sideline Cheer:
- In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, we will not be conducting our Middle School (6th-8th grade) Winter Sports Parents’ Meeting/Meet the Coach Night in person as we have done in the past. Instead, we recorded informational presentation that was posted on YouTube and to our social media pages, VNN, and www.lapeerlightning.com.
- Meet the Coach portion of the meeting will be conducted by the coach of the individual sport at a later date. This meeting is for both the Winter 1 and Winter 2 seasons for middle school sports.
- View the video at: https://youtu.be/NNy_bKETl2g
- View the complete Middle School Winter Sports Parents Meeting Slideshow Presentation at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R5AjukAkfmKiOvd6q3Ppn_53r8Md2yYX/view?usp=sharing
Middle School Winter Sports Spectator Covid-19 Safety Information:
Tentatively, as of the time of publishing of this newsletter, the following will be in place for the remainder of Middle School Winter Sports:
- Spectators at events must all wear masks and practice social distancing during events.
- Concessions will not be available at indoor events.
- As of this moment, we are limited to 2 spectators per participant. For middle school events, vouchers will be given to athletes the day before the event and spectators must bring them to the ticket booth the day of the event and pay the $3 entry.
Middle School Athlete Covid-19 Safety Information:
Tentatively, as of the time of publishing of this newsletter, the following will be in place for the remainder of Middle School Winter Sports:
- Athletes for all Middle School Winter Sports must wear masks at all times during competition and while on the sidelines. Please bring a mask to all practices and games.
- Water will not be provided so bring water to all practices and games.
- Athletes will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms and have a temperature check before every practice and every game.
Clearance Process and General Information for Winter 2 Sports – Boys Basketball and Competitive Cheer:
Middle School Mandatory Winter Sports Parents Meeting/Meet the Coach Night: See above
Both student and parent should be present at the clearance process in order to be able to fill out all necessary paperwork (unless the paperwork is pre-filled out). Student athletes should turn in their paperwork to Ms. Dean in the RW Office.
The following items are available in the RW or online at www.lapeerlightning.com and MUST be turned in prior to first practice/tryout:
- All athletes must have a completed 2020-2021 MHSAA Physical (dated April 15, 2020 or after – must be new form or sign waiver when turning in.) or a complete MHSAA Health Questionnaire (https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/health%20safety/healthquestionnaire.pdf ) along with a valid 2019-2020 MHSAA Physical (dated April 15, 2019 or after)
- All athletes must have a completed Emergency Card
- All athletes must have a signed Athletic Code of Conduct Card (parent & student signatures required)
*Pay to Participate must be paid in full before any athlete may participate in a game/contest/meet. Information will be forthcoming regarding when parents may begin paying pay-to-participate fees.
*Please see the Athletic Code of Conduct for information on Eligibility requirements (grades) needed last year and current.
*Impact Testing is required for all 7th grade student athletes
- Time and Location of Impact testing TBD – 6th grade wrestlers do not need to complete impact testing
McLaren Telehealth Available @ RW
Title 1/31a Happenings
Any item purchased with grant funds is required to be labeled with the funding source, and the year that it was purchased. An inventory is kept for each school that tells the materials that have been purchased with grant funds and where the items are located in the building.
Interested in Employment with LCS?
The District is currently hiring for multiple vacancies in our support staff unit. We offer competitive wages, flexible schedules, reduced rates for employee childcare, free admission to athletic events and more! We are currently looking to fill full and part-time vacancies in the following areas:
- Bus Drivers
- Custodians
- Food Service
- Paraprofessionals
- Substitutes in all areas
Please click the link to see all our openings and start the application process. If you wish to learn more about the available positions or how to apply, please call the LCS Human Resource office at (810) 538-1609.
http://www.lapeerschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3097475&pageId=5529343
Rolland-Warner Contact Information
Wyatt Stevens, Principal
Rich Cross, Associate Principal/Athletics
Kent Meister, Dean of Students
Renee Shrontz, Head Secretary
Email: rshrontz@lapeerschools.org
Website: rw.lapeerschools.org
Location: 3145 West Genesee Street, Lapeer, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 538-2334
Facebook: https://facebook.com/RollandWarnerMiddleSchool
Twitter: @Lapeerschools